Bengaluru, 1 July

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday cautioned people against heart problem symptoms as an experts committee headed by the Director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research has been formed to identify the exact cause behind the surge of deaths in Hassan.

He urged everyone to visit the nearest health centre immediately for a check-up if they have symptoms such as chest pain or difficulty breathing, and not to ignore these signs.

Siddaramaiah said that more than twenty people have died due to heart attacks in the past month alone in Hassan district.

"The government is taking this matter very seriously," he said on X.

Orders were given to the same committee back in February to conduct a thorough study on the reasons behind sudden deaths among young people in the state, and whether the Covid vaccines could have had any adverse effects, he said. In this regard, the process of examining and analysing heart patients is also underway.

Siddaramaiah condemned the actions of BJP leaders, alleging that they are using such matters for their political gains.

"It cannot be denied that the hasty approval and distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine to the public could also be a reason for these deaths, as several studies worldwide have recently indicated that Covid vaccines could be a cause for the increasing number of heart attacks. Before the BJP criticise us on this matter, they should ask their conscience," he added.

On Monday, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao ordered an expert study into the matter.

"I have already instructed the department officials to conduct a study by experts under the leadership of the Director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research to investigate the increase in heart attacks and submit a report," he said on X.

The State government has implemented the Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyothi Yojane to prevent sudden heart attacks. But, there is a need for comprehensive research on the recent increase in heart attacks among young people, Rao said.